Cats make for amazing pets; they give us love, companionship, friendship, and, in rare cases, even loyalty. So, it makes sense for us to want to shower them with love and pamper them with delicious foods and treats. But, while there can never be enough love to be given, too many treats can cause our feline friends to gain excessive weight and succumb to the problems related to gaining weight. So, here are some tips for buying healthy cat treats for your best friend.

Understand what makes a treat healthy
It’s important to remember that treats are mainly calories, and they will only be healthy when they contribute to no more than 10% of your cat’s diet. The rest of the 90% of their diet should be high-protein, healthy cat foods. Giving treats in moderation is the key to keeping your cat healthy.

Check the label for additives
Before buying any treat, the most important thing to do is to read the label. You must know its components, so you have an understanding of what exactly is going inside your beloved cat’s body. Try avoiding treats that contain artificial flavors, preservatives, and food dyes. Research has shown that artificial preservatives can be carcinogenic for animals. The artificial food dyes used in certain cat treats are carcinogenic for both cats and their humans. To add to that, these dyes can completely wreck your pet’s digestive system.

Cats do not need sweeteners
Ensure that the treats you’re getting your cat do not contain sweeteners, either natural or artificial. This is the most pointless additive, as a cat’s gene is not built to perceive sweet as a taste and it is, in fact, drawn to the fat content in sweet foods. To top it off, sweeteners put cats at risk for diabetes.

Steer clear of soy, wheat, and corn
When picking out a treat, you may want to ensure that it does not contain any filler ingredients, such as corn, soy, and even wheat. A cat’s digestive system is built to digest proteins and fats. They have shorter digestive tracts compared with those of humans and even dogs. So, the food goes in and out of their bodies pretty quickly. Foods like corn, soy, and wheat are insoluble fibers, which are difficult for them to digest. On the other hand, soluble fibers aid in weight loss in cats, by slowing down their digestion process.

Get your hands on some catnip
Catnip is a great treat for cats. The best part about Catnip is it is a low-calorie treat that your pets love the taste of. You can grow it at home or get some fresh or dried catnip at the store. Ensure that the store-bought one is safe for your pet.

Get the food vetted by the vet
Whatever you decide to get for your cat baby, ensure that you run it by the vet. The vet is the best person to give you advice on the treats that you feed your cat. They’ll ensure that treats are aligned with the cat’s dietary requirements, depending on their weight and medical history.